U-17 AFCON Semi-finals showdown in Libreville, Port Gentil News

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U-17 AFCON Semi-finals showdown in Libreville, Port Gentil

By Daily Sports on May 24, 2017

Action resumes on Wednesday at the total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 with the semi-final matches holding simultaneously in Libreville and Port Gentil in what should interesting fixtures amongst the four gladiators from the West African sub-region.

The seeming familiarities amongst the four notwithstanding, no quarter would be asked and none would be given when cup holders, Mali battle against Guinea at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville in a repeat of a semi-final encounter between both sides two years ago in Niamey.

In the other all West-African tie at Stade de Port Gentil, two-time champions, Black Starlets of Ghana would face stiff challenge from Le Mena Cadets of Niger in a tricky tie following results between both sides in friendlies ahead of Gabon 2017.

“We respect our opponents. (Niger); but Our chance of progressing to the final is very bright,” Samuel Fabian, the 58-year-old experienced Ghana U-17 trainer told CAFOnline.com

“In fact, we are happy they've qualified together with us because we played two friendlies with them as part of our preparations for this competition but a semi-final match is not the same as a friendly so we would leave no stone unturned,” he added.

The Black Starlets have scored more goals than any other team without conceding any at this tournament; yet coach Ismaila Tiemoko of Niger said he was not worried about the Ghanaian impressive statistics.

“We have made history already with qualification for the World Cup for the first time on Sunday but we are not yet satisfied; we want to go all the way and win the trophy for the first time,” stated the 52-year-old Tiemoko.

“Though we lost two friendly matches against Ghana before arriving here, we are on the same level now with Ghana because we have both qualified for the semi-finals, and we are not going to play them with fear or respect.”

Elsewhere in Libreville, Le Syli Cadets would be desirous of breaking their duck against Les Aiglonnets who dispatched them 2-1 the last time in Niamey and not forgetting that 4-3 aggregate loss that denied them qualification to the 2005 edition held in the Gambia.

“Mali will fight for its honours on the pitch against Guinea on Wednesday,” hinted Komla. “We are not going to underrate them; Guinea has potential; we shave seen Guinea play and will approach this game very seriously because Guinea is a very good team.”

However, no coach at Gabon 2017 is ‘big-headed’ as Guinea’s Souleymane Camara and the 31-year-old is unabashed about staking his claim against the Malians., insisting he would come out top on Wednesday.

“If you are to make comparisons between my team and Mali, I would say we have a more technical, tactical and focused team,” Camara said without blinking eyes. “My respect to the opposing team(Mali) and knowing the mobility and technicality of their team gives me a lot to think about with maximum concentration.”

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 24, 2017